Rapids drop first result of 2014 Preseason

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Sunday, February 16, 2014) – The Colorado Rapids fell to Chivas USA by a 2-1 score on Sunday night in Las Vegas, with the opposition earning a pair of controversial penalties to capture the win. Deshorn Brown scored a great goal for Colorado to take an early lead, but goals from the spot by Erick Torres and Adolfo Bautista were enough to give Chivas the victory.

The match-winning goal was scored with just seven minutes left in the match, when Thomas McNamara went down in between several Rapids players to earn Chivas’ second penalty of the evening. “Bofo” Bautista, just minutes before he left the match due to injury, hit a hard low shot just out of the reach of goalkeeper Clint Irwin’s dive.

Colorado had jumped out to the 1-0 lead in the 16th minute on a brilliant goal after some quick passing through the midfield. Charles Eloundou received a ball in midfield and cut inside before passing to Vicente Sánchez, who was under pressure and played a first-touch flick to Dillon Serna. The Rapids Homegrown Player then sent the ball back across the field to Brown, who touched the ball around Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy before finishing from a tight angle.

The game was tied just three minutes later, in perhaps more controversial fashion than Chivas’ second. Forward Matthew Fondy had the ball in the Rapids box and dribbled between Jared Watts and Nick LaBrocca before falling to the ground, and the referee quickly whistled for a penalty. Erick “Cubo” Torres calmly finished to Clint Irwin’s left to knot the match at one.

The Rapids had the bulk of the possession and chances in the match, especially controlling the first half, though Chivas had a pair of excellent chances in the second session, with one shot rattling the crossbar and another opportunity scuffed by Bautista. Colorado pushed to find an equalizer late and had a pair of chances with little time remaining, Kamani Hill first hitting the post after a misplayed cross from the Chivas keeper, then having a Gabriel Torres free kick saved.

The team returned to Colorado on Monday morning, and will then fly to Tucson for the Desert Diamond Cup on Tuesday, where the Rapids will play four matches, including a rematch against Chivas USA on Feb. 26.